Gainesville, GA – On Saturday June 25, 2016 at approximately 9:15 PM, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested by the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) and Georgia State Patrol to investigate a law enforcement shooting incident, resulting in the death of an individual after a lengthy vehicle and foot pursuit.

Preliminary information indicates that a vehicle pursuit began when two subjects would not stop at a law enforcement road-check as part of Operation Rolling Thunder, a Governor’s Office of Highway Safety initiative held in Flowery Branch. Georgia State Troopers pursued the vehicle occupied by Rodrigo Guardiola, age 36, who has been identified as the driver and Epitacio Gudino, age 31, who was identified as the passenger. Both individuals reportedly reside in the Gainesville area. Troopers boxed in the vehicle to stop the pursuit which resulted in a collision and at which point Guardiola and Gudino ran from the vehicle.

As one of the pursuing troopers caught up to Guardiola at a run-off creek, a struggle ensued at which point Guardiola was fighting the trooper and attempting to submerge him underwater. Two additional troopers arrived on scene. The trooper that was submerged and beaten fired his Taser at Guardiola with no effective impact, at which point the trooper fired his pistol striking and killing Guardiola. Gudino was captured nearby, approximately 45 minutes later. All three troopers were treated for their injuries at the area hospital and were subsequently released. Gudino remains in custody in Hall County on charges related to the incident.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation to determine what occurred during the incident. When the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the District Attorney's Office for review.